Straight bore hydraulic knuckle



Sept- 2, 1952 c. P. YOUNG 2,609,226

' STRAIGHT BoRE HYDRAULIC KNUCKLE SePt- 2, 1952 c. P. YOUNG 2,609,226

STRAIGHT-EURE HYDRAULIC KNUCKLE C. P. YOUNG STRAIGHT BORE HYDRAULIC KNUCKLE Original Filed 0Ol. 24, 1944 Sept. 2, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 W y f ally, y

Sepi. 2, 1952 STRAIGHT BORE HYDRAULIC KNUCKLE Original Filed Oct. 24, 1944 4 Sheets-Shea?l 4 Patented Sept. 2, 1952 UNITED STATI-:Ns PATENT orties Clarence P. Young, Bellilower, Calif.

Continuation, of application Serial No. 560,167, Qctoberv 24, 1944'. This application March 8, 1947, Serial No. 733,335

This invention relates to fishing tools for use inl wells, and particularly to that class of fishing tool designed to recover lost strings of drill pipe and the like, generally referred to in the art vas hydraulic knuckles; lThis. application is a continuation filed in substitution for my coepending application, Serial No. 560,167,1'iled October 24, 1944 now abandoned.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved hydraulic knuckle which is attachable toV a run-in string of pipe and carrying a pivoted arm that is adapted to be forced laterally by hydraulic pressure supplied within the runin string of pipe and wherein provision is made for establishing a straight continuous bore through the device to enable 'variousoperations to be performed after the sh has been engaged.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide an improved hydraulic knuckle employing a hydraulically actuated arm wherein provision is made for beaning back fluid that is forced downwardly through the device to develop the requisite back pressure to hydraulically swing the'arm laterally with respect to the runin string of pipe and provision is made for opening the bean after the sh has been engaged to thus form a large straight bore of substantially uniform diameter which will facilitate the discharge of circulation fluid downwardly through or around the sh and which will enable other operations to also be performed therethrough.`

With the foregoing and Yother objects inview, 1which will be made manifest in the following'detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiinent of the invention, wherein:

'Figure 1 isa vertical section through the improved hydraulic knuckle illustrating it in its normal position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially upon the line 2-2 upon Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating 'the knuckle in that position wherein the arm is swung laterally to engage the fish;

Fig. 4 is a partial view in side elevation of the knuckle shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is 'a 'horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 5-'5 upon' Fig. 3;

Fig. "6 is a vertical Asection through a tool that may be effectively employed to open the bean of the device after the fish hasjbeen engaged; Fig. '7 is a partial verticalis'ection illustrating a portion of Fig. '2 on an enlarged scale and illustrating the manner in which the tool illustrated in Fig. 6 is utilized to open the bean;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 8--8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical section taken substantially upon the line 9--9 upon Fig. 8;

12. oiaims. (o1. zei-ase) Fig. l0 is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line Ill-l0 upon Fig. 1;

Fig. l1 is a partial horizontal section similar to Fig. 8 but illustrating the parts of the bean in closed position; and

Fig. 12 is a View in side elevation illustrating themanner in which the tool is used.

Referring to the accompanyingy drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the improved hydraulic knuckle comprises a body l0 .internally threaded at its upper end for attachment to a run-in string of pipe indicated at Il. The sides of the body are flat as indicated at l2, see Fig. 8, so as tohave the sides I3 0f an arm Hi slidable thereagainst. The upper end of this arm which is of general U -shaped cross section is equipped with ears I5 to receive -a pivot pin Iii by which vthe arm may pivot and swing laterally with respect to the body as shown in Fig. 12. This pinis locked in position within the body by a tube Il which extends downwardly within a central bore I8 and which extends through the pivot pin.4 On the sides of the body there arearcuate grooves l9- which receive the inner ends of threaded studs 20. These studs are designed to assist in carrying the weight and function as safety devices for holding the parts of the tool together in the event that the pivot pin i6 should break under severe stress or jarring.

Additional ribsV 2l may be formed 'on the interior of the arm and be slidable in complementary lgrooves on the exterior of the body for this purpose. To actuate the arm with relation to the body a bushing 22 extends transversely within the body, this bushing having apertures 23 in registry with the bore I3. Within this bushing there is slidable a hollow plunger 24, the head of which bears against the interior of the arm lli. T-he walls of -this hollow plunger have apertures 275 that are normally in registration with the. bore I8 and these apertures in turn communicate with slots 2G into which lugs 21 on the bushing extend. The lugs thus form keys that are slidable in the slots=26 enabling the plunger 24 to slide within the bushing from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3, but hold the plunger against rotation within the bushing; Consequently, regardless of thelposition assumed by the plunger 2li there is constant communication between bore lf3 and the interior of the plunger. In the position shown in Fig.' 1 this communication is established byf means of the apertures 25 which are of substantially the 'same' diameter as the bore I8 and in the position-shown in Fig. 3 communicationis established throughV the slots 26. Opposed shoulders 28-are provided on the body and the armi and are mutually engageable withv each ,other to limit outward swinging movementof the arm relative to the body. Outward swinging movement of the arm is limited to a position such that the plunger 24 can not be forced entirely out of the bushing.

Below bushing 22 bore I8 is traversed by a second bushing 29 having apertures in the top and bottom thereof registering with the bore and within this bushing there is disposed an expansible bean the parts of which are indicated at 38 and 3I. rThese parts of the bean are urged into opposition with each other by means of coil compression springs 32 arranged around guide stems 33 that are mounted on threaded plugs 34 that are screwed into the body and which maintain the bushing 29 in place. The opposed faces of the parts and 3l are counterbored at top and bottom as indicated at 35 and 35a, and intermediate these counterbored portions there are formed semi-cylindrical recesses 36 which mutually cooperate to form a relatively small passage through the bean when the parts of the bean are mutually engaged. as indicated in Fig. 2. This small passage is materially smaller than the diameter of the bore I8 and serves by means of its resistance to ilow to create a back pressure in bore I8 thereabove so as to develop within the bore sucient pressure to cause the plunger 24 to be actuated when fluid, such as circulation fluid, is pumped downwardly through the runin string of pipe II. The sides of the parts 30 and 3I of the bean arev equipped with grooves 31 and spring actuated locking pins or plungers 38 are mounted in the body and extend through the walls of the bushing 29 and into these grooves.

The inner ends of the grooves are formed with recesses 39 into which the locking pins may be sprung by means of their springs. The outer ends of the grooves may be equipped with bevelled portions 40 against which the inner ends of the locking pins may bear when the parts of the bean are in mutual engagement. The parts of the bean may be formed with opposed ribs and grooves 4I adapted to fit together when the parts of the bean are mutually engaged.

Below bushing 29 `bore I8 is traversed by a short rockshaft 42 urged by a spring 43 against a threaded plug 44. This rockshaft has a slotted opening 45 formed in its upper end so that in all rotary positions assumed by it thisopening may remain in communication with the lower end of bore I8. A discharge tube 46 is threaded into this rockshaft and extends downwardly therefrom. This discharge tube has an internal diameter substantially equal to that of the bore I8. The bottom of the body is cut away as indicated at 41 to accommodate lateral swinging movement of the discharge tube. The lower end of the arm I4 extends forwardly beneath the bottom of the body and has mounted therein a y rubber bushing 48 through which the lower end of the discharge tube slidably extends. This bushing is preferably formed of good elastic rubber as it is required to be deformed from its normal position into the position shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of the arm is threaded for attachment of a wall hook 49 or its equivalent so that it may engage a lost string of drill pipe indicated on Fig. l2. As an accessory to the tool a type of go-devil is employed, such as is illustrated in Fig. 6. This go-devil is adapted to be lowered through the run-in string of pipe I I and to enter the bore I8. At its upper end it is provided with a suitable rope socket 50 providing for attachment to a cable 5I. In the body there is formed a central bore 52 communicating with lateral ports 53 at the top thereof and the lower end of this bore communicates with a bore 54 in a lower head 55. The upper end of this head carries a stem 58 on which is formed a cap or shoulder 51. This cap or shoulder is reciprocable in a cylinder 58 closed at its lower end by a secondary head 59. The cylinder is vented as at 6D.

The operation and advantages of the improved hydraulic knuckle are as follows: When it is desired to engage and recover a sh F the knuckle is attached to a run-in string of pipe I I and lowered into the well to the approximate location of the fish. During this lowering operation the parts 30 and 3| of the expansible bean are in mutual engagement with each other thus providing only a small passage therethrough for the downward flow of circulation fluid. Circulation fluid is then pumped into the run-in string of pipe II and is forced downwardly into bore I8. As downward ow through the bean is greatly restricted, pressure is developed within the bore which is transmitted to the interior of plunger 24. Plunger 24 is forced outwardly thus swinging arm I4 into position shown in Figs. 3 and 12. The

r wall hook or the equivalent that may be mounted on the arm can then be caused to sweep against the walls of the well hole on rotation of the runin string of pipe and may be caused to engage the sh F which may be leaning against the well walls. After the fish has been engaged by the wall hook an upward strain may be taken on the run-in string of pipe in an endeavor to recover the fish. Usually, however, the sh has become so lodged in the well that its recovery can not be had immediately. Pressure may then be turned off and the arm I4 permitted to resume its normally vertical position. The go-devil illustrated in Fig. 6 may then be lowered in the runin string of pipe II by means of cable 5I. This go-devil will enter the bore I8 and its head 55 becomes seated in the counterbored upper portions 35 of the parts of the expansible bean. By raising and lowering the cable 5I the upper portion of the go-devil may function as a type of jar pounding on the cap or shoulder 51 and thus forcing head 55 downwardly between the parts 30 and 3| of the expansible bean. The locking pins 38 will thus be crowded outwardly by means of the bevels 40 allowing the parts 30 and 3I to expand and be locked in expanded position by the locking pins 38 entering the recesses 39. In this manner the expansible bean is expanded so that the passage afforded by bore I8 is no longer restricted. The go-devil may then be removed from the tool and circulation may be resumed. The circulation fluid can consequently be caused to ow downwardly through bore I8 and through the discharge pipe 48 and be caused to discharge downwardly through or around the sh F. Frequently the establishing of such circulation through the fish will loosen it to enable its recovery. In the event, however, that circulation or jarring of the tool is insufficient to loosen the sh it is possible by means of the present construction to lower through bore I8 which has thus been opened by the expansible bean an explosive and cause it to be exploded in the fish to loosen it and thus enable its recovery.

Various other operations may also be performed through' the device inasmuch as the bean has been fully opened and locked in open position after it has served its purpose of creating sufficient back pressure to cause the plunger 24 to accommodate the arm I4.

From the above-described constructionl it will be; appreciated that a novel,l advantageous :improved hydraulic knuckle is provided 'which enva-bles'the creation of sufficient b'ackpressureito accommodatethe arm Hand which after the fish has 'been engaged provides a straight, continuous bore therethrough of uniformly large diam'- eter whichA `will enable'lvarious operations to be performed through the .tool to assure loosening and-reooveryof the fish F. v

Various changes may be made inthe details of constructionwithout departing from the spirit andsicope Vof the invention asA defined by-the appended claims.A I

I claim: l

1. A well fishing tool comprising abody attachable to a run-in string of pipe, said body having a straight passage -therethrough for the discharge of fluid, means for beaning back the fluid in said passage'to develop a pressure therein, an

.arm pivotally mounted upon said body; means responsive to the beaned backpressure for swinging the arm relatively to the body, ysaid beaning means being openable, and Vmeans for locking the beaning means in fully open position. j, 2i. A well fishingv tool comprisinga body attachable to a run-in string of pipe, said body having aj' straight passage therethrough for the'` dischargeof fluid, means'for-beaning back the fluid in saidpassage to develop a pressure therein, an arm pivotally'mounted upon said body, means vresponsive to the'beaned back pressure for iswinging-V the arm relatively to the body, said beaning means being openable, means for locking the beaning means in fully open position, and meansy for conducting fluid discharged through said passage from said body through said arm.

3. A well fishing tool comprising a body attachable to a run-in string of pipe, said body having a passage therethrough for circulation fluid, an arm hingedly mounted upon said body for movement laterally with respect thereto, pressure-responsive means responsive to pressure in said passage for moving said means laterally relatively to the body, an openable bean in said passage below said pressure-responsive means, means for locking the openable bean in open position, and a wash pipe pivotally connected to the body for movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said arm, and means providing a deformable bushing on the arm about the wash pipe.

4. A well fishing tool comprising a body attachable to a run-in string of pipe, an arm, a pivot pin for pivotally mounting said arm upon the body, a piston in the body operable to swing the arm laterally relatively to the body, there being a straight passage formed through the body, pivot pin and piston, means providing a bean in the body below the piston adapted when in contracted position to build up a back pressure to be effective on the piston, means for locking the bean in fully open position to permit free flow of liquid through said passage, a wash pipe plvotally mounted upon the body for rotation about an axis parallel to the pivot pin and in communication with saidpassage below the bean and means providing a deformable seal between said wash pipe and said arm.

5. In a well fishing tool, a body attachable to a run-in string of pipe, said body having a vertical passage therethrough, an arm pivotally mounted upon the body, there being a cylinder formed in the body transverse with respect to said passage and open toward said arm, a piston in said cylinder, said piston having a head engageablewith the arm and an open endedskirt, said skirt having apertures'therethrough adapted to registerwithz said Vertical passage.

6.A vIna fishing tool,a-body, an arm-pivotally mounted thereon-there being a passage for circulation fluid inthe body, a piston responsive to pressure in said `passage for actuating the arm to cause it to swing-relative to the body. said piston having a passageltherethrough forming a continuation therethrough ofi the passage in the body,*and means permitting the `piston to respond to pressure in the passageebut preventing rota'- tion of vthe piston within the body whereby the passagethroughfthe piston may not become disallg-nedv from thepassagef in the body.

7;In a fishing tool, a` body having a circulationfiuid passage therethrough, an armlpivotally mounted upon theA body for-swinging movement relatively thereto,fluid pressure responsive means responsive ,to l pressure i-n the circulation fluid passage for swinging the varm relative to the body, va pair of opposed bean-forming members `below said fluid pressure responsive means adapted to cooperate to 'restrict flow through the circ'ulation` iiuid passage or to be moved into retracted positions to more fully open saidl passage, and` means for lockingv said members in retracted positions.

' 8. In a fishing tool, a body having a circulation fluid passageV therethrough, .an arm pivotally mounted upon the body for swinging move- 'ment relatively thereto, fluid pressureresponsi've mean-s responsive .to pressure .in the circulation liu-id passage Ifor swinging the arm relative to the body, means for choking or opening said passage. means normally urging said means into passagechoking position, means for locking said means in passage-opening position, and means adapted .to be passed :downwardly through said passage to engage said choking means to shiftthe same from choking .to passage-opening position.

9. In .a fishing tool, a body having a straight circulation fluid passage, an arm pivotally connected to the body for swinging movement relative thereto, -a plunger reciprocable in the body adapted to be forced outwardly by pressure ,in said passage to swing .the arm outwardly relative lto the body, means below said plunger for choking said passage or lopening it, ,and means having a longitudinal passage for the passage of circulation fluid therethrough yadapted to 4be passed downwardly through the circulation iiuid passage .to eng-age the choking means and shift .it from choking to open position.

'10. In a fishing tool, .a body having a straight circulation fluid passage, an arm pivotally connected to the body for swinging movement relative thereto, a plunger reciprocable in the body adapt-ed to be forced outwardly by pressure in said passage to swing the arm outwardly relative to the body, means below said plunger for choking said passage or opening it, means having a longitudinal passage for the passage of circulation fluid therethrough adapted to be passed downwardly through the circulation fluid passage to eng-age the choking means and shift it from choking to open position, and means for locking the choking means inopen position after having been thus shifted.

ll. In a fishing tool, a body having a straight circulation fluid passage. an arm pivotally connected to the body for swinging movement relative thereto, a plunger reciprocable in the body adapted to be forced outwardly by pressure in l said passage to swing the arm outwardly relative -to thebody,A means below said .plunger for choking said passage onopening it, means having a longitudinal passage for the passage of cir- Qlllaton fluid .therethrough adapted to be passed downwardly .througn'the circulation uidpassage to engage-the choking means and shift it from choking.- to open position,l yand a wash pipe' pivotally connected .tosaidbody below said choking means forminga continuation of said passage leading t0. saidarm. g

,-12. 'Ina iishing too1,.a body having a straight circulationuid passage, an arm pivotally connected .tothe --body for rswinging v movement relative thereto, altilunger reciproc-able in Ithe body adapted tobe forcedoutwardly by pressure in said passage to swing theyarm outwardly rela- .tive to the body, means .below said plunger for choking said passage or opening it, means having-a longitudinal passage for the pass-age of circulation fluid .therethrough adapted to be passed :downwardly through thecirculation fluid passage to engage the choking means and shift iit from choking .to open position, a wash pipe pivotally connected to' said body below said choking means forming .a continuation of said `passage leading to said arm, and means providing a seal between said wash pipe an-d said arm.

13. -In .a shing tool, a body having a straight circulation lfluid passage, an arm pivotally connected to the body for swinging movement relativethereto, .a plunger reciprocable in the body adapted to be f-orcedoutwardly by pressureyin said passage `to swing the arm outwardly relative tov the body, means below said plunger for ohokingsaid passage or opening it, means having a `longitudinal passage for the passage of circulationv fluid therethrough adapted Ato be :passed downwardly through the circulation uid passage to engage the choking means and shift it from choking .to open position, and a wash pipe pivotally connected tosaid body and having a sealed connection `with said arm, said wash pipe being so arranged that when vthe arm is in its collapsedpositionwith relation to lthe body that the wash pipe hangs vertically from said body and forms a straight continuation of said straight circulation iiuid passage.

v P. YOUNG.

` REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le. of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS vLowrey Nov. 9, 1943 

